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Rock Steady in Second Straight Win against Philadelphia

February 28, 2004 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


PHILADELPHIA - The Wings dropped their second game in two nights to Toronto, 11-10, Saturday evening at the Wachovia Center in front of 13,606 fans. It was a one-goal game that went back and forth for most of the final quarter before the defending NLL champion Rock clinched the victory with a goal by Chris Driscoll with 32 seconds left in the game. The Rock defeated the Wings, 18-15, Friday night in Toronto.

"I figured it would be a low-scoring games, with both teams running tired," said Wings' coach Adam Mueller. "It was a tough one-goal game the entire game. Both teams were going to play for it and see who ended up on top in the end. We need to start winning these close games. We need to win these tough games."

Defense dominated the first quarter as each team scored just one goal. Philadelphia's Dallas Eliuk and Toronto's Bob Watson each made four saves before Colin Doyle put the ball in the net for the Rock. Several fights broke out ten minutes into the quarter after Wings' captain Jake Bergey drilled Dan Ladouceur into the boards. Toronto's Glenn Clark and Philadelphia's Thomas Hajek each received game misconducts and fighting majors, while two other players on each team were penalized for fighting. Less than a minute later Colin Doyle received a roughing double minor after colliding into Eliuk. The goalie left the game and was replaced by Nick Schroeder. The new goalie stopped all eight shots he faced over the rest of the quarter. The Wings were able to knot the score at one with a goal by Spencer Martin on the power play.

Philadelphia opened the second quarter with goals by Bergey and Tom Marechek to take a 3-1 lead. Schroeder was strong for the start of the quarter with 10 saves, but then gave up three unanswered goals in a three-minute span. Aaron Wilson began the scoring with a power-play goal and Blaine Manning followed up with a pair of goals. The Rock oushot Philadelphia, 34-22, in the first half and carried a one-goal lead into the locker room.

The Wings turned around their offense in the third quarter with three unanswered goals. Tom Marechek, Hugh Donovan and Mark Frye gave Philadelphia a 6-4 lead. The Wings were outshooting the Rock, 11-1, before Toronto battled back with goals by Manning and Wilson to even the score at six going into the final quarter.

The two teams went back and forth in scoring four times before Driscoll netted the game-winner. Wilson and Ryan Painter started the scoring for Toronto, while Philadelphia's Jeff Ratcliffe scored a hat trick in the quarter with three diving goals. Darryl Gibson and Steve Toll netted additional goals for the Rock, while Keith Cromwell had the final tally for the Wings.

Jeff Ratcliffe led the Wings in scoring with four points (3G,1A). Six other players scored goals for Philadelphia, including Spencer Martin (1G,1A), Mark Frye (1G), Keith Cromwell (1G,3A), Tom Marechek (2G,4A), Hugh Donovan (1G) and Jake Bergey.

Aaron Wilson led the Rock in scoring with five points (3G,2A). Six other players scored goals for Toronto, including Colin Doyle (1G,3A), Ryan Painter (1G,1A), Blaine Manning (3G,1A), Steve Toll (1G,1A), Darryl Gibson (1G) and Chris Driscoll (1G,1A).

NOTES: Wings' defenseman Paul Cantabene announced his retirement this week due to work commitments. The eleven-year NLL veteran accumulated 26 points since being acquired by the Wings in a trade with the Colorado Mammoth on September 27, 2002...The Wings' activated defenseman Kevin Galbraith from their practice squad after the announcement of Cantabene's retirement.



National Lacrosse League Stories from February 28, 2004


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